Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 30

""Hey Cutie Pie."

The voice on the other end was husky and familiar, yet distant.

A familiar face popped into my mind, and I blurted out, "Wayne!"

I had hoped that changing my number would keep me off the Johnston family's radar, but I never expected Wayne to find this number and actually call me.

"Looks like you kept my number and didn't forget about me," Wayne's voice had that teasing edge.

He was only two years older than Jace. Before he left for abroad, he used to look out for me a lot and loved calling me Cutie Pie.

For a moment, I had no idea how to respond. His words sounded almost like he was complaining.

In the first couple of years after he left, I'd sometimes reach out, just to see how he was doing. But eventually, we lost touch.

Wayne was never the type to keep in contact. He barely talked to his family, so it was no surprise he didn't stay in touch with me.

me. I knew it had to be about

if Wayne rarely spoke to his family, they always shared important

you get this number?" I asked straight out.

asked me for money to top up

admire him. No wonder he was a top student. He remembered my number for

dad's phone became my cherished keepsake. One day, I found the number suspended due

time, I had no money and felt too embarrassed to ask Lindey and Matthew, so I

money, thinking I might use it for something else. When I explained, he still didn't believe me and went with me to the payment center.

so when I saw his call now, I joked, "Are you calling to collect the

"Yep," he admitted.

played along.

cut

I said nothing.

+15 BONUS

voice broke the silence. My parents are freaking out about you.

worried, but I hadn't expected it to be

blood pressure from all the stress," Wayne reassured me before

I couldn't dodge this question. I knew I'd have to